Turkey Completes Purchase of S-400 Air Defense System from Russia

Turkey has completed the formal purchase of S-400 long range anti-aircraft missile defense system from Russia

"In addition to the S-400, Turkey also made preliminary agreements with the Eurosam countries to develop, produce and use the air defense system in order to improve its long-term domestic national capacity," Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli was quoted as saying by Anadolu news agency Saturday.

"We especially aim to have our own technology," the minister added.

On Wednesday, a letter of intent was signed between Turkey, France and Italy to develop an anti-ballistic missile.

Under the pact, Turkey’s defense industry and the Franco-Italian consortium will work together to determine needs and priorities for the potential joint production of a SAMP-T anti-ballistic missile system.

The S-400 can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles. It can track and engage up to 300 targets at a time and has an altitude ceiling of 27 kilometers (17 miles).